Paul Ryan VP pick rattles congressional campaigns

Paul Ryan may have breathed new life into Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, but he’s also rattling the congressional campaign landscape, leaving vulnerable down-ballot Republicans with an uncomfortable choice: embrace a radical new vision on entitlements or run from their party’s national ticket.

Republicans hailing from Democratic-leaning districts, like Illinois Rep. Robert Dold and Massachusetts candidate Richard Tisei, are trying to create some distance from the Ryan worldview. Other congressional Republicans in tight races, like New York’s Ann Marie Buerkle and Florida’s Allen West are launching into vigorous defenses of their votes for the Ryan budget, which proposes partial privatization of Medicare by offering subsidies for seniors to purchase insurance.

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The Ryan pick is also shaking up the races that will decide which party controls the Senate. Dean Heller of Nevada — appointed to the Senate last year — is already under fire for the unique distinction of being the only lawmaker who voted for the Ryan budget in both chambers. Montana Republican Senate candidate Denny Rehberg is running fast from the Ryan budget. And in Florida, a state where the senior citizen vote is crucial, vulnerable Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson could barely contain his glee at the opportunity to attack the Ryan budget.

The reality is that Ryan is now every Republicans’ running mate whether they like it or not, forcing GOP candidates who would just as soon run from the debate over senior citizen entitlements to embrace the third rail of American politics like never before.

One GOP insider lamented that party leaders “have spent the last year” trying to take Medicare off the political front burner, but the Ryan pick “puts it all back out there now.”

Tisei, running against Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) in a closely watched race outside Boston, said he knows Democrats are going to “demonize” Ryan, but “I just don’t think it’s going to be an issue in this race.”

Polls have regularly shown opposition to the Ryan plan is strongest among seniors, and Nelson seized upon the Ryan pick in his remarks on Saturday.

“Gov. Romney’s pick is not good for seniors in Florida. It changes Medicare as we know it,” the senator said at a campaign stop in Jupiter, according to the Palm Beach Post. “I don’t think we want to have senior citizens in their retirement years having to haggle with insurance companies over their health care.”

Trying to turn the tables, the Romney campaign announced on Sunday that Ryan will travel to Florida next weekend to “highlight POTUS’ record of slashing Medicare for current Florida seniors,” tweeted Romney aide Brendan Buck.

But Republican unease with the Ryan plan was on full display earlier this summer, when the National Republican Senatorial Committee put money behind an ad that touted Rehberg’s opposition to the polarizing budget plan.

“And Rehberg refused to support a Republican budget plan that could harm the Medicare programs so many of Montana’s seniors rely on,” the 30-second commericial promoting Rehberg’s Senate candidacy blared.

In his statement Saturday, Rehberg was laudatory of Ryan’s “character, intelligence and creativity” but without specificity, also acutely noted “the few occasions where we haven’t [agreed].”

GOP strategists involved in House and Senate races acknowledged that Ryan’s selection is a dual-edged sword for them. On the one hand, Ryan is young, charismatic, beloved by the conservative base and a compelling spokesman for Republican policies on spending, tax cuts and the role of government in every American’s life.

Readers' Comments (167)

Look, its time to Stand With Republicans and save our country. There is no way on God's green earth that the American taxpayer can take care of the millions of middle class workers, the hundred million lower class workers and the indigents--as these people don't have the money, they don't get medical care and that is simple logic. Besides, by the time a worker gets to be 55, most are obese, have type 2 diabetes and are developing congestive heart failure and related diseases. With full code modern medical care, they could live another 20 years, AND totally un-productive in any way, but the plain truth is there just isn't enough money, period. Ryan and the Republicans REALIZE this truth. We ALL die someday, but to think that we will survive as a nation with everyone just running down to the local hospital ER when they "feel" like it is nuts. We're finally getting to the "point." And, the point is If you have cash (or vouchers), credit card or can afford quality health insurance, then you are admitted to the hospital, if not, then you go home or to the hospice. It's the BOLD, plain simple financial facts of "reality." Join Republicans, join RYAN AND ROMNEY and let's return to families to helping one another and being responsible for ourselves! THEN, America will be truly GREAT once more!

Romney's pick of Ryan (who comes with the political poison called "Ryan's budget") has politically doomed Romney (who was already behind and losing ground daily). Equally important, the Ryan pick may well politically doom the entire federal slate of Republicans. Most Republicans on Capitol Hill voted for the Ryan budgetary monstrosity and have spent the last year and a half trying either to hide the fact or make voters forget it.

Romney's pick of Ryan throws a white-hot spotlight on Ryan's heartless budget. Included in that budget are dozens of ugly spending cuts (on all programs for all but the rich) and needless -- indeed, obscene -- tax breaks (for the rich). All are winning issues for Democrats. Medicare is just one of them, granted, an important one. Republicans will lie, as Romney and Ryan are already doing, and tell voters President Obama has gutted Medicare by $500 billion and thus weakened it for seniors. The truth is the law does not cut a dime from the basic Medicare benefits seniors receive, which is all that truly concerns seniors. If we can save on overpayments and Medicare fraud by paying providers less for the same services and by throwing Medicare frauds in jail, then so much the better. Medicare has been improved. Only lies about Obamacare and Ryan's budget that hope to muddy the political waters and blur the sharp differences between the Democratic vision and Republican vision will save any Republican from going down to defeat this fall.

The selection of Paul Ryan for VP Candidate should finally force the Obama campaign into acting like grownups for a change (hopefully). Maybe now they will have to confront and discuss real issues instead of just collaborating with their liberal media in contrived issues and attempts at personal destruction.

The selection of Paul Ryan for VP Candidate should finally force the Obama campaign into acting like grownups for a change (hopefully). Maybe now they will have to confront and discuss real issues instead of just collaborating with their liberal media in contrived issues and attempts at personal destruction.

I'm really looking forward to the debates. I love debates.

I want to see Mitt Romney defend his proposals (murky as they are), and I want to see Obama defend his past and proposed policies.

I want to see these men debate the role of government, especially in job creation, implementation of the progressive vs. regressive tax policy proposals, safety nets, and education programs.

I want to see them debate the rampant income and wealth inequality, lack of opportunity, and the increasing decimation of the middle class while the wealthiest accumulate more and more wealth.

I want to see these guys debate financial and environmental regulation.

I want to see them debate (deeply) how to reform entitlements. (Unfortunately, I doubt either one will get too specific, although Romney is wedded somewhat to the Medicare voucher proposal in Ryan’s plan.)

I want to see them debate the auto and bank bailouts.

I want to see them debate individual mandates in health care reform and what health care reform needs to accomplish.

I want to see them debate foreign policy and the approaches to the war on terrorism and the policies in Afghanistan.

I want to see them debate immigration policy, marriage, women’s health and reproductive issues, and other social issues.

In the 6 hours of debate time, I believe we'll hear these two candidates address all of the above. We'll get to judge their reactions when under fire, and how they relate to regular folks who ask tough questions, not just the moderators.

I think the debates will be extremely interesting and enlightening. I think both men are looking forward to them. Both are experienced and strong debaters. I think this election will be an easy choice for all voters. These guys have completely different viewpoints. And they’ll express them in open and healthy debates. That’s all good for our country.

YES, save our country from THEM! They are the ones (Ryan - voted "YEA" on every Bush proposal that got us where we are today - YOU KNOW - DROVE UP THE DEBT) that got us in this mess in the first place and NOW you and yours are looking for these same people to come save you AFTER they have already pulled the football out from under you already!

"are launching into vigorous defenses of their votes for the Ryan budget, which proposes partial privatization of Medicare by offering subsidies for seniors to purchase insurance."

The Ryan plan does not change a thing for current seniors, or for anyone 10 years away from collecting medicare benefits. This is a stark contrast to the changes that effect ALL SENIORS under ObamaCare - did we forget the $500 Million Obama robbed from Medicare to fund his new entitlement?

Bottom line. The Ryan plan saves medicare for individuals already in or near retirement. This would be the same group of people Dem Senator Bill Nelson is trying deceive with his politically charged falsehoods. The seniors in Florida, and throughout the country, have nothing to worry about - unless of course they help re-elect Obama (and Dem Sen Bill Nelson) to continue his status quo path to medicare bankruptcy.

The choice is clear, even if they are elusive to some political reporters and almost any democrat politician. The Romney/Ryan plan saves medicare. The Obama plan has already ended medicare as we knew it when he stole $500 Million to eliminate MedicareAdvantage. Further, the Obama plan to medicare bankruptcy ends medicare (period).

An additional point to Dem Senator Bill Nelson - and any other democrat that mentions any budgetary/fiscal issue - Pass a budget in the Senate, then we'll talk. Until that time, you have not earned the right to express your opinion on anything!

I predict an Obama victory and a Democratic controlled House, thanks Mitt your stupidity gets better and better. I know Republican candidates that are in elections love you for making them choose to endorse or run from your tickets views on that horrible budget plan. Please keep up the good work.

Maybe Ryans Tax returns will be complete! Romneys returns were missing a important document on his off shore accounts. Romney released his 2010 tax return in January of this year, but people who own foreign bank accounts are required to file a separate document ( FBAR ) with the IRS that provides additional details on such overseas bank holdings, and Romney has not released that form to the public.!

Mitt Romney has been anything but honest with the American people. He is running on a platform of tax breaks for the wealthy and refuses to let us know the facts about the taxes he has paid. He is simply hiding something and telling us that he isn't hiding anything. That is dishonest and makes him untrustworthy.

Ryan doesn't debate anyone. He is rigid in his philosophy and his approach to governing and is as open minded as Grover Norquist. He is incapable of real governing.

Together they neither have the temperament to govern and neither deserves the trust of all the people.

(Ryan - voted "YEA" on every Bush proposal that got us where we are today - YOU KNOW - DROVE UP THE DEBT)

This stuff is so predictable! Really - and Obama and Biden both voted against Kennedy/Bush immigration reform bill. Does that mean Obama is anti immigrant? Sometimes it is really sad how few people can see the forest from the trees. Doing nothing is letting the system die quicker. Why do people continue to ignore this fact? Axelrod was championing that stealing 700 billion from from Medicare allowed medicare to last 8 (yes - you swee that correct) more years to the system. Really - so what is the democrat position after those 8 years? The system will break then and since we will have taxed our millionaires (really 250k is a millionaire?) so we will not be able to go to that well again. It is time for adults to stand up and have the conversation. Instead of saying stupid things like - oh they want to kill grandma... Without changes the system will die. If you don't like the changes proposed - stand up with an alternative. The days where we vilify those who stand up with a decision and pretend we don't need to do anything are gone. If we do nothing - the system dies! That is not a debatable point. It is fact. Either propose a solution or keep your mouth shut. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Too easy for people on the left to be the problem and not get called out for it!

You may get an Obama second term, but the Reps keep the House. The Senate will go +1 or +2 for Reps. Obama is fighting for his political life. ABO means that people will vote AGAINST Obama, as opposed to FOR Romney, but the results will be the same.

I predict an Obama victory and a Democratic controlled House, thanks Mitt your stupidity gets better and better. I know Republican candidates that are in elections love you for making them choose to endorse or run from your tickets views on that horrible budget plan. Please keep up the good work.

Run away at your own perril. The origination of the TEA party - the taxed enough already party - shows that the american people are ready for a conversation and to be talked to like adults. Anyone who thinks that democrat scare tactics on either abortion or medicare will work is either naive or too stupid to be allowed to vote. The current system is unsustainable. If we want to be greece - we continue on this path. However, we are not greece - the adults are standing up and saying - enough with the lies. It is time for solutions. Romney and Ryan have their solution out there - where is Obama's? Rubber meets the road people - if you don't have a proposal to put forward - you are doing nothing to help the cause. Leaving the system as is, effectively kills the system. you make your calls - I believe we are ready to discuss the real issues.

I want to see Mitt Romney defend his proposals (murky as they are), and I want to see Obama defend his past and proposed policies.

I want to see these men debate the role of government, especially in job creation, implementation of the progressive vs. regressive tax policy proposals, safety nets, and education programs.

I want to see them debate the rampant income and wealth inequality, lack of opportunity, and the increasing decimation of the middle class while the wealthiest accumulate more and more wealth.

I want to see these guys debate financial and environmental regulation.

I want to see them debate (deeply) how to reform entitlements. (Unfortunately, I doubt either one will get too specific, although Romney is wedded somewhat to the Medicare voucher proposal in Ryan’s plan.)

I want to see them debate the auto and bank bailouts.

I want to see them debate individual mandates in health care reform and what health care reform needs to accomplish.

I want to see them debate foreign policy and the approaches to the war on terrorism and the policies in Afghanistan.

I want to see them debate immigration policy, marriage, women’s health and reproductive issues, and other social issues.

In the 6 hours of debate time, I believe we'll hear these two candidates address all of the above. We'll get to judge their reactions when under fire, and how they relate to regular folks who ask tough questions, not just the moderators.

I think the debates will be extremely interesting and enlightening. I think both men are looking forward to them. Both are experienced and strong debaters. I think this election will be an easy choice for all voters. These guys have completely different viewpoints. And they’ll express them in open and healthy debates. That’s all good for our country.

I would love this as well but I would also like them to allow Gary Johnson into that debate as well we need more than just 2 choices heck I would like them to invite Rosanne as well from the Green party . We Can't have too many choices and different voices. People need to get out of this Left Right Paradime and realize there are more than just 2 bad choices.